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 Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 8:35 am
"You extended an invitation for me to visit. It would be a shame if any of my actions reflected poorly on you." His words were spoken plainly in a 'matter of fact' manner. The Cosmos Knight's shoulders rose and fell in a shrug as he reached for his tea to take another slow sip. "Conversation makes a pretty decent distraction." He smirked softly, casting a side glance to the other man. "I'm fine, really."
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Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 8:42 am
He shook his head slightly before sipping his tea. "I'm sure you'll be perfectly behaved." With how Arken spoke in his letters and what he'd seen of the other man on Corvus he didn't have any doubts about that. "What would you like to talk about? I'm sure I can supply some good gossip, that's what usually goes around at dinner." His voice was teasing as the staff came around with the soup.
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Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 2:21 pm
"I never would have expected you to be one for gossip, Sailor Arsinoe." A light, teasing smirk touched the corners of his lips as he looked to the other man. "I will listen with open ears to anything you think I might need to hear." And he did. Throughout the meal they spoke lightly, falling back into the things they had discussed in their early letters; information about trade, plans for future visits to Corvus and other worlds in the Cluster and, of course, Arsinoe's koi. It was only when conversation started to wear down and the meal was nearing an end that others approached the table to pay their respects to the Senshi of Lanterns as well as to catch a glimpse of his guest. Although he had mostly tuned out a conversation going on not far the drag brought the anxiousness back and he began to lightly drum on his thigh with his fingers beneath the table.
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Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 3:09 pm
Having someone to talk to through dinner that wasn't a member of his family or another scribe was wonderful and he actually enjoyed the meal for once. The conversation was light and pleasant and hearing Arlen's voice rather than imagining it reading the letters was a vast improvement. For a while he ignored the knight drumming on his thigh but eventually, covering the move pretending he was shifting his robes on his shoulders, he set a hand over Arlen's and laced their fingers together. He always hated this part of dinner himself and gave the knights hand a light squeeze hoping to reassure him it was almost over. There weren't many left who wished to see him and even though he'd like nothing more than to escape he knew he'd never be forgiven if he did.
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Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 4:48 pm
When he felt the other man shift beside him he braced himself for a nudge, or even a stern glance. He hadn't expected the gentle feel of the other man's hand covering his own, or the way Sailor Arsinoe's fingers felt sliding down to twine with his. His fingers curled, tensing slightly as the senshi's hand held his and he couldn't ignore the vague tingling sensation branching from the other man's touch and spreading up along his arm. The Cosmos Knight coughed softly to clear his throat before reaching for his tea with his free hand, just barely managing to keep himself from flushing as he did so. Stars. That had to be the last thing that he had expected. It certainly wasn't the usual route that people went to cease his fidgeting.
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Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 4:58 pm
Only years of training kept him from smiling at Arlen's reaction as he spoke softly to the woman who was in front of him. The knight hand felt warm and much softer than what he would have expected. Thankfully no one would be able to see his hand given their position at the table so he had no fear that someone would see and comment. Instead he made it through the last of those who wished to speak to him and waved a servant over with his free hand. "Let my father know I will be retiring for the remainder of the evening. I will show our guest back to his room." He waited for the servant to move away before looking at Arlen again. "I'm sure you would like an escape from all the formalities." His voice was soft as he slowly took his hand back, more loath to let go of Arlen's fingers than he wanted to admit, and stood so the knight could follow him.
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Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 7:36 pm
He waited for Arsinoe to stand once he'd taken his hand back so that he could slowly rise to his feet afterwards. It was going to take a bit of time to get used to sitting through a meal that long. His legs were grateful for the chance to stretch afterwards and he moved after the other man easily. "It's a bit more than I'm used to all at once, but dinner was incredible," he murmured as they entered the hall, arms crossing behind his back. He hoped it would be easier to think of something other than the way the senshi's hand had felt against his like that-- It wasn't. Of course it wasn't. That would have been far too easy. "Will we be taking the scenic route back to the guest quarters or are you ready to retire?"
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Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 7:44 pm
"There aren't normally that many who want to see me unless it's a special occasion. I think they wanted to see you without having to ask if they could just stare." A slight smirk curved his lips as he paused to let a servant scurry past. "If you are not too warn out ... I did still want to show you my fish. I have a private garden as well where they like to spend the night." His garden also meant that they could speak without ears and eyes keeping tabs on them.
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Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 8:12 pm
"My legs could use a stretch after dinner and I would not be opposed to staying in your company for a little longer... As long as you don't plan on keeping any of us up all night, including your fish." He met the other man's look with a soft smirk of his own, starting to relax a bit more visibly the further they made it away from the dining hall.
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Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 8:21 pm
"I promise I'll make sure both knights and fishes are in bed by a proper time." He laughed softly, tucking his hands into his sleeves as they walked. "The guest rooms aren't too far from the family wing either so you don't have to worry about walking all the way across the palace." As they walked it was obvious when they'd made it to the family wing as the halls were empty of servants leaving them alone for the moment. When they reached a large double door with a large symbol painted onto the front he shook his hands free of his sleeves so he could pull the door open. "If you would like to take your vest off, make yourself more comfortable ... I am going to change into a lighter robe. If you'll give me a moment?"
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Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 8:30 pm
"Of course. I'll just... Wait here." He nodded, looking after the other man for a moment before glancing away as the Senshi of Lanterns moved to change into something more comfortable for an evening exploration of his private gardens. While Arsinoe had given him permission to relax he wasn't certain that he wanted to risk it, especially if the 'shadows' chose to reappear. He left his vest on, loosening his shirt at the neck slightly instead while glancing around. The palace truly was beautiful.
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Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 8:42 pm
Jinyue disappeared behind some screens that blocked off part of the room and poked through his things for a bit before deciding on a dark gray and plum robe. It was simple and light weight and after changing into that and some leggings he figured he'd be able to retire to bed after Mag Mell got his meeting with the fish. "You really are allowed to relax here. No one is allowed in my room or garden without my permission." He smiled as he reemerged and walked back over to where the knight was waiting.
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Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 11:05 am
"What makes you think that I'm not comfortable like this?" A light smirk touched at his lips, shoulders sagging slightly as he eased into a slightly more relaxed pose. He was more at ease away from the watchful eye of everyone who had been in the hall, but he probably wouldn't let his guard down entirely until he was back in his own chambers simply out of habit. "Are dinners usually that busy? Or was tonight a special occasion?" His brow quirked as he looked to the other man, finally reaching up to at least unclasp his cloak and slip it from his shoulders now that he didn't need the symbol of his 'status' in such plain sight.
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Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 11:40 am
"Because I'm sure your formal wear might be comfortable but you could be more so." He smiled before going to open the doors out to his garden. There was a nice breeze that night and he was going to be tempted to sleep with the doors open. "It's not every day I invite a guest to Arsinoe. Everyone was curious as to who you were." he motioned for Arlen to join him so they could go outside. "So I suppose it was a special occasion."
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Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 1:25 pm
"Do they usually wait until the guest has arrived to ask questions and express curiosity? I'm used to the questions starting beforehand." He stepped in line behind the other man once Arsinoe had bid him to follow, the touch of fresh air and the gentle breeze soothing him further. The Cosmos Knight was always more comfortable outside. It reminded him of the Wonder that he left behind for his travels. "And here I thought that a library such as yours would have many visitors... Or is it your family home that you do not invite many to see?" His brow lofted as he looked to his companion, making a mental note to request specifically that his next set of formal wear pants have pockets. Blast not having anywhere to put his hands that didn't require fidgeting.
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